"Rothenburg ob der Tauber" has a unique cityscape: the old Walls overlook the
fruit and wine covered hillsides of the Tauber valley. With it's gates, towers, streets,
wells and buildings it is probably one of the most famous old German cities. Big picture

City hall in RothenburgThe gothic city hall with the emperors courtroom and the tower (60m) stem
from the time between 1250 and 1400. Here and on the "green"-marketplace,
located just behind the city hall, one can find the famous "Alt-Rothenburger
Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas market), that takes place every year. From the tower
(accessible through the main entrance at the marketplace) one has a beautiful view over
the city.Big picture

Markus tower in Rothenburg
In the progress of the city fortifications in the 12th century, the Markusturm and the
Röderbogen were erected. Next to the Markusturm stands the so called
"Büttelhaus", once a prison which now functions as the Rothenburg city archive.
Big picture

"Gasthaus Stahl is a real gem of a place, in that
wonderful, scenic location up in the hills above the Rhine, in classic tiny Dellhofen
village, yet only minutes away from the walled cities of Oberwesel and Bacharach, right on
the river.There are enough castles and other places of interest within 30-90 minutes of
pleasant driving to keep tourists busy for a long time, but the serenity of the inn itself
is the best feature. The rooms are so classic, yet they have all the modern touches we need. The
furnishings and atmosphere of the inn are from times we thought had gone past, and it was
great to just soak in the gemutlichkeit! ... " R J Del Vecchio, Fuquay-Varina, NC - Big picture

The old brick arch wine cellar
of the Winery Stahl, in which the wines are stored; the wine grapes
are self-grown and the wines are self-made. Wine tasting for groups up to 30 people in the
brick arch wine cellar. You'll become a romantic feeling with the lights off and set aglow
in candlelight."The wine tasting at Weingut
Stahl is truly educational, with more varieties of flavorful German wines than most
Americans ever realize exist. I think that is worth the trip in itself."R J Del Vecchio, Fuquay-Varina, NC - Big picture

"Heilig-Blut-Altar" from Tilman Riemenschneider in the St. Jakobus Church
The name of this altar dates back to a relic, a drop of blood from Christ. This relic came
by the end of the crusades to Rothenburg and quickly provided a growing number of
pilgrims. Big picture

Around the year 1500 the city council gave the Würzburger altar carver
-Tilman Riemenschneider- the commission to carve an adequate altar for this relic. The
altar shows the Last Supper, the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem and the scene at the Mount
of Olives. It belongs to the most beautiful altars in southern Germany. Big picture

City wall of Rothenburg"Pax intrantibus, salus exeuntibus" - " Peace to those who
enter, hail those who leave, " so it is written at the Spitaltor (Spital Gate). A
principle which still applies to the inhabitants and visitors of the city. Matters were
handled especially peaceful behind the walls of the Spital quarter. Big picture

The imposing defense facilities at the Spital and Röder gate served to keep away
uninvited guests and impressively conveyed in the age of nuclear weapons how well
deterrence in the Middle Ages worked.
Out of all the mediaeval city-fortifications, here unfolds the most tremendous,
self-contained and best-preserved cityscapes. Big picture